GAZA: Israeli attacks in Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 17 Palestinians, with several others injured, as the ongoing military offensive continues to devastate the besieged territory.
The attacks targeted a school and a shelter for displaced people in Gaza City and Khan Younis, intensifying the already dire humanitarian crisis.
According to medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, nine people were killed in an attack on a tent shelter that was housing displaced families.
The victims’ bodies were brought to the hospital, while several others sustained injuries in the attack.
In Gaza City, a further seven Palestinians were killed, and many more were injured when Israeli forces struck the Fadi Al-Sabah School, which had been repurposed as a shelter for families displaced by the ongoing conflict.
The victims of the school strike were taken to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital for treatment.
Additionally, an air invasion in the northern part of the Gaza Strip targeted the home of the Abu Jarad family in Beit Lahia. One individual was killed, and several others were injured in the attack.
Since Israel launched its military invasion on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the situation has deteriorated rapidly, with over 43,500 Palestinians reported killed and tens of thousands more wounded.
The ongoing strikes have left large portions of Gaza in ruins, and many areas are described as “almost uninhabitable.”
This includes widespread destruction of residential buildings, with the United Nations noting that nearly 70% of those killed have been women and children.
Israel’s actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, with accusations of war crimes and genocide.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently reviewing a case against Israel for its actions in Gaza, as critics argue that the disproportionate force used in its attacks violates international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions.
However, Karim Khan who is the chief prosecutor responsible for leading the external investigation at ICC for the arrest of Israeli leaders over Gaza war crime violations has been probed over alleged sexual misconduct.
Reports from the UN have highlighted that over 80% of civilian casualties in Gaza resulted from Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings or similar structures.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long and complex history, with tensions between Israelis and Palestinians dating back over a century.
The recent escalation began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure but also causing significant civilian casualties.
As of now, the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians, with the majority of those killed being civilians.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, and the health infrastructure has been largely destroyed by the bombing.
International bodies, including the UN and human rights organizations, have raised alarm over the high civilian toll, calling for immediate ceasefires and access for humanitarian aid.
Despite this, Israeli airstrikes continue to target key locations across Gaza, including civilian areas, refugee camps, and infrastructure.
The death toll in Gaza has sparked a wave of international protests and calls for accountability.
Israel faces accusations of committing genocide against the Palestinian population, a charge being investigated by the International Court of Justice.
The ICC and other global institutions are grappling with how to respond to the unfolding crisis, as the death toll continues to rise.
In the meantime, efforts to mediate a ceasefire have largely stalled, with Israel insisting on the elimination of Hamas, while Palestinians demand an end to the blockade and military attacks on Gaza.
Previously, Israeli Knesset approved a controversial law allowing the government to deport family members of individuals classified as “terrorists,” including Israeli citizens.
The law, passed 61-41, grants the interior minister the power to expel first-degree relatives of alleged attackers if they are found to support terrorism or fail to report it.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that the ongoing resistance from Hamas and Hezbollah marks a defeat for Israel.
Speaking at a gathering on Thursday, Khamenei argued that Israel’s efforts to eliminate Hamas have only exposed its “ugly face,” leading to global condemnation and isolation.
The conflict shows no signs of abating, and the toll on civilians, particularly women and children, continues to mount.
